The Italian Job (2) - Comments from the Allies

[mc3744]

I think they (planes on Canton) would be facing a CAP around 200+ strong.
Against something like that the F4F-4's are ducks, the more I send the more he shoots down.
I also have little air support on the island, 50 points only. I really thought he would have attacked the border islands first [:(]

I'm done. I'll have to wait for the inevitable.

Once again: thanks for your comments [:)]

[mc3744]

March 18th, 1942

INDIA-CHINA
Most - if not all - of his bombers are hitting Lanchow and Sining (the AVG on the ground).
He has retreated fighters in Burma everywhere but Mandalay and Rangoon. That’s according to the daily recon I’ve been running during the last week.
I’ve moved all the Blenheim squadrons in Chandpur with (2) Hurricane’s group as defense.
Blenheim IV - from Chandpur -, B-17’s and LB-30’s - from Diamond Harbor - will hit the resources in Meiktila. No CAP reported.

DEI-AUSTRALIA
As I feared a baby KB is now in the Indian Ocean outside Christmas Is. Some tankers have been hit.
The 193rd US Tank Battalion is leaving Adelaide for Alice Springs. Second US unit joining in ‘Operation freedom’.

PACIFIC
It’s been a very bad day. [:(]
I made two major mistakes. [:(] [:(]
When checking the TF’s around Canton I totally missed a transport TF carrying the 105th USN Base Force (360 aviation support). It ended into carriers range and was sank. A bad and stupid mistake. [:-]
I also forgot (or failed to notice) that Tarawa is airfield (4) and the TF unloading the 27th/C Division in Nanumea has been badly damaged by G3M‘s. One AP sank. I could have protected it easily moving the P-40B that where in Canton and that I moved back to Palmyra. They are now in Baker, next turn Nanumea, but it’ll be too late by then. [:o]

The real problem I’m facing is that I cannot defend every base. I decided to have a reasonable force on the border, but ‘reasonable’ is not enough against the behemoth force he moves around.
What am I supposed to do? Abandon most base and concentrate on few ones? Which ones then? Forget about Australia and use all US units to strengthen Central Pacific and keep them there, somehow ‘useless’ = no way to use them offensively?
I thought I had my strategy clear enough ... I no longer have it! [&:] [&:] [&:]

[marovici]

He can't defend everything he gets as well. As long as you are careful about preserving your forces, especially if he seems to always commit majority of his forces in one place then you should make sure that you have maybe more than one division in your strong points so that you do not lose your infantry divisions for nothing you should get a lot of shooting practice on his possesions as you bid your time and build your strength. I know this is as vague as possible having very little value, but just be careful, build and hit him with small strikes where he does not have a big presence and you should start to come ahead.

Good luck!

[mc3744]

[;)] Thanks, I'm not planning to give up anyway [:'(]

[mc3744]

March 19th, 1942

INDIA-CHINA
Some interesting results here.
An air flight of (66) Blenheim IV managed to score only (1) resource hit in Meiktila! [8|]
At the same time the 140 heavies scored (37). [8D]
The other interesting result is the air-to-air one. The Oscar’s CAP suffered (4) downed planes vs. Only (1) of my bombers (see picture). [:)]

AUSTRALIA
The 7th Australian Division is available in Sidney. Ordered to Alice Springs.

PACIFIC [:(]
More ships sank, I should have been more careful.
The ships losses are pretty bad, the ratio especially (see picture).

ACES
FO Hubble is back with AVG/A. Welcome back!

[Kereguelen]

I know it sounds quite mad[:)], but what about retaking PM? Don't know what he has left behind, but as long as he has no level 4 AF build there (or at Milne Bay) you should be able to do it. 7th Aussie Div is quite powerful and given the forces he employs in CENTPAC and other theatres, there should not be too much left behind...!

I think that you have to strike back now before it is too late. Otherwise he'll be able to continue attacking you with overhelming force. I think he cannot afford to loose PM whilst Northern Australia is of small consequence to him and it will cost you too much time. Take Eastern PNG back now, build AF's there and he'll have to divert forces to that theatre!

[Tom Hunter]

Kereguelen: "I know it sounds quite mad..."

Boy does it ever, just wait, your still very weak, no reason to get beaten up even more by trying an offensive this early.

Of course K might be right, but so might I.

One of us is you just have to figure that out and you have made the correct decision. [:D]

[Kereguelen]

ORIGINAL: Tom Hunter

Kereguelen: "I know it sounds quite mad..."

Boy does it ever, just wait, your still very weak, no reason to get beaten up even more by trying an offensive this early.

Of course K might be right, but so might I.

One of us is you just have to figure that out and you have made the correct decision. [:D]

LOL, true statement!

Normally I'ld advocate a more defensive course. But it seems that Gen. Hoepner believes in extreme concentration of forces (look at the situation at Lanchow). How many divisions will he employ in CENTPAC? I fear he'll destroy the Allies peacemeal when allowed to continue like this. In this situation one should try to hit the Japanese where they're weak as it currently happens in Southern China. Of course this road could lead to desaster, but it seems to me that taking risks might pay off in the given situation. I fear that he cannot stop the Japanese juggernaut with the forces available in CENTPAC. Thus he has to force the Japanese to relocate some of these forces to other places.

[Bliztk]

I agree with Tom. The objetive with the Allies up to May is to not lose any location from the Allied counteroffensives begin. In my view they are Colombo/India, Southern Australia, New Zealand, China and Hawaii Islands. Everything else is expendable.

Your other objetive is to try to maximize the Japanese attrition rate, while not losing your carriers.

That means striking hard with your carriers when you know where KB is located. This will cause two things, one is make him react to your moves, and also since your CVs can run away fast for the location.

For example one good idea with minimal riskshould be once KB has retired from Canton, pack your battleship and crusier forces, use your 130 F4F from your carriers to cover the operation and bring Canton I. back to the stone age, thus improving the experience of both your air and naval forces.

If you find that he is weak here in combat forces, have an amphibious TF few hexes away, if you feel that he is too strong for your forces, retire away and use your short term gains (closing Canton I airport) to setup a training place for your surface and heavy bombers.

[mc3744]

Uhm ... uhm

It's difficult, as you'll see in the next post he is now coming for Exmouth too [:(]
I do have some hopes however because he doesn't seem to have committed too many forces.

The 7th is already on its way to Alice Spirngs.
PM has Val's and Zero's and Rabaul G3/4M in range. How am I supposed to get past those?
True, his ground forces in PM might be light, but I still need to cross the sea to get there and he has air control and sea control so far.

I may decide to take the carriers all the way down there, but it takes a lot of time and then the Hawaii would be undefended. I have only one division left in Peral Harbor. He doesn't know that of course. But, while I could defend it shifting the carrier groups to the airflied, without the carriers he could even manage to take PH right now. It'd be a hell of risk and the reward would still be uncertain. With strong air forces in Rabaul and Dive Bomber in PM I doubt I can make it.
On top of that all I have so few APs. Am I going to land with AKs, they suck at landings. They take an awful lot of damage in the process, which is terribly slow.
I really think the New Guinea is only a dream at this stage.

Thanks for the suggestions. If you have any additional ideas, please speak your mind. It's a very, very difficult moment.
If I make a few more mistakes now, the war could be lost for good, within the next month.

[mc3744]

March 20th - 21st, 1942

INDIA-CHINA
My bombers in India seem to be able to run their missions with little opposition ... so far.
Eastern China is undergoing constant heavy bombings, every single day.

AUSTRALIA
This man in insatiable, he is now coming for Exmouth!! (see picture) [:-]
Exmouth just reached airfield size (4).
I moved there whatever I had available in Perth: (16) Beaufort + (12) Swordfish + (24) Brewster
I think he has only one CVL or CVE as escort, my torpedo bombers might make it through his CAP, their experience is good.
Exmouth as 360 assault points, it’s a division size force. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to hold. He has to make a mistake too, sooner or later. Doesn’t he? [&:]

PACIFIC [:(]
I just had a vision, pretty late to be honest.
He is not going for Canton only, that’s the first step, as Darwin was the first step in Australia.
He is going for the whole Central Pacific, that’s why the huge force. He will definitely attack Baker and Nonumea next. Palmyra, Pago Pago and Fiji might be in danger too.
While Baker and Nanumea are not vital, although the units there will be a severe loss, Palmyra is indeed vital for my convoys to Australia. I must hold it.
Right now I have one Rgt, one CD and one ENG. (1) CD + (1) ENG Base Force are loading in PH, the Canadian Bde, previously en route for Baker has been redirected to Palmyra. I’ll get Palmyra to 200 aviation points and I’ll stuff it with planes (if necessary). Palmyra must not fall. All the DM available will now go back and forth from PH to Palmyra. I’ll have more mines than men!!
Pago Pago is now garrisoned with the Americal US Division. I hope it won’t be lost there.
All Central and South Pacific bases are now building fortifications only.
I’ve recalled the carriers from Palmyra, no point in letting him sunk them.
It’s a terrible situation, the entire Pacific from New Caledonia to Hawaii may be lost in the next moth. A disaster!!! [:(]

[marovici]

Although it might seem that way as long as your carriers are available to you and you can make him pay I doubt that he will be able to just keep on expanding. Although he can perhaps take it I doubt that he can hold all of it. Reeinforcing Palmyra, especially bringing as many planes as you can on it and making sure he can not easily bombard them sounds like a good idea.

If he does go for Exmouth try and make him pay as dearly as possible, his KB should be at Canton Island so this invasion should be easier to penetrate and attack.

Good luck.

[mc3744]

March 22nd, 1942

I’m not sure of the events because we went out of sync, I saw Canton fall and when I opened the turn it was still mine. [:-]

INDIA-CHINA
Bad weather kept all my bomber on the ground. [:@]

AUSTRALIA
The first recon reports were wrong. Look in the picture at his invasion TF!! [X(]
Exmouth will definitely fall too.
I saved the Dutch guys from DEI, than I saved them from Timor and now they end their days stranded on the Northwest Coast of Australia. What a sad fate!
I’m starting to hate GH, btw. [:o]
He bombarded Exmouth at night, 23 planes lost on the ground the rest unable to fly!!! So much for my torpedoes. [:@]

PACIFIC
Canton is still mine, not for long I guess.

Bottom line: I'm loosing heart here. He doesn't seem to make any mistake whatsoever!!!

[mc3744]

March 23rd, 1942 [:(]

Canton has fallen.

Exmouth will follow suit (see picture).

My damned bombers in India refuse to fly. [:@]

It’s such a bright day!

[mc3744]

ups, wrong picture.

[cookie monster]

I'm certainly enjoying this. Not so sure you are though. 1 division at Pearl sounds a little low to me.

As for Cent Pac I think New Zealand first and then Nomeau are worth fighting for. Japan can take the rest if they want.

[Crimefighter]

buck up MC... its Canton island afterall... not Canton, Ohio

ole hurricane GM is gonna pass though I think cookie monster's thoughts are worth pondering

as for exemoth... that was a risk from the beginning and though it did pressure his ausie flank losing wont really hurt now that you have the biggest flattop in the game up an running (ie three bajillion heavies in india)

[Gem35]

I have been reading your AAR as well and it's very exciting MC. Don't lose hope though, you still have your 5 carriers .[:)] Because your opponent attacks with overwhelming strength, I think you need to plan your defenses acordingly. Perhaps garrisoning ALL of the bases was a mistake your opponent knew you would make. Bottom line is, soon your forces will start to be better than his, your fighters can now stand a chance against his. The tide will turn my friend, be patient and keep your wits about you. You are right about one thing, sooner or later he will make a mistake and you can capitalize on it.[:)]

[marovici]

Don't give up. Patience, your luck will change, as the previous poster said you still have a lot of assets left.

[racndoc]

Hang in there MC! You still have all your CVs.

Dont let Hoepner destroy your LCUs piecemeal on scattered Pacific atolls. Try to mass your troops and AC to hold Pearl Harbor and New Zealand. At worst, losing Canton, Baker, Palmyra etc. will add a couple weeks to your convoy times. Hoepner will be forced to garrison all those islands if he wants to hold them and you can rack up VPs recapturing them. You will be amazed how fast you can recapture the central Pacific come 1943!

I wouldnt worry about launching a counteroffensive now. Let him wear out his ships and lose his AC to operations. His Zero advantage will go away in 5 weeks. Try to get as many modern fighters and heavy bombers to Australia and India as possible and prepare for an aerial counteroffensive. Dont worry about losing Exmouth but dont build any more forward airbases for him to capture.